Paul Bieber has been an industry fixture for three decades. After nine years with C.R. Laurence Co. Inc., he joined Floral Glass in 1985. Now, two decades later he has decided to leave the company. But not quite ready for retirement, he may be eyeing a new career as he threw out the opening ball at the New York Mets game Sunday night.

How did this come about? Bieber explained from his home in Smithtown, N.Y.

"Every year, the Mets hold a series of special community events such as Irish night, Italian-American night, Latin night and Jewish Heritage Day, which is August 21.

"I have been involved with the Mets for 15 years. Owner Fred Wilpon and the team have been very generous in their support of youth baseball, another very important part of my life. I have coached for 16 years. The Mets have made available special tickets for our baseball league to resell as fund raisers. They gave tickets to our players and we often received balls, catcher's gear and promotional items from the team.

"I am the past president of Temple Beth David in Commack, N.Y., a 750-family congregation and I'm active in various Jewish organizations. Again, my tie-in with the Mets has allowed me to raise funds for special projects by selling tickets and bringing groups to Mets games.

"So with my long background in support of Jewish causes, my love of baseball and enthusiastic support for the Mets, I am honored to throw out the first pitch on a day recognizing New York's Jewish heritage."

Bieber reported that he had been exercising every day to lose some weight and get in shape. And he had been practicing throwing with his son. "My goal is to throw such a perfect pitch that the Mets will realize they should have signed me 30 years ago," he stated. "My son says my goal should be to get the ball to home with less than three bounces."